Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem

 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Luke 13:34 ESV

Jesus laments as he travels toward Jerusalem. He is on His way to face the cross. What he talks about in this verse will certainly come true for Him, as it had for so many that God had sent as prophets and leaders. His people will reject Him too.

There is a huge difference this time though. This is the Son of God going to Jerusalem, God in the flesh and yet they still will not respect Him. In the second half of the verse we hear the voice of God; “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” He is looking back over the centuries and the many ways He had reached out to Israel and yet they continued to wander away from Him. Jesus knows this will happen again even though they have seen and heard of all the miracles. Even though all the parables and lessons have been heard, they still will not see, they still will not hear. Jesus knows the hardness of heart that His people suffer with and it breaks His heart.

When Jesus went to His people and their religious leaders, they would not listen, they would not repent. They cast him out and killed Him. They crucified the one that would save them. They denied their Messiah.

Have you ever read this passage and wondered how Jesus' church would react to Him today if He were to come to us one more time to show us what we should be. Would we react in the same way the religious leaders of Jesus day did? Would we want to tell Him what was Holy and Right? Would we disagree with Him about what is good and true?

Today think about how Israel responded to their savior. Think about how you respond to His teachings in His word. Do you fight against what He teaches? Do you disrespect His authority as the pharisees did? Or, do you want to learn from Him, love Him, respect Him and obey Him? Every day we all stand at a cross-roads and have to make the choice as to whom we will follow. Will we follow Jesus or will we follow our own ways?

Lets not have Jesus lament us as individuals that have been shown His love and denied it. Lets accept His authority and follow Him.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman